There are tons of pets to be picked from. A myriad of choices awaits, such as a cat, reptile, fish or even a small rodent. If what you’re looking for is unconditional love, though, there’s no better bet than getting a dog. The article below has the information you need to know to care for a dog properly.
Make your home dog-proof. Your entire home should be safe prior to bringing the dog inside. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Certain plants are toxic, and it’s best to move them, too.
Talk to your vet to learn which foods are appropriate for your particular dog. Sometimes you’ll find that a puppy can’t eat certain brands of foods because it will make their stomach upset. Be safe when taking care of your dog.
When the dog does something right, be sure to lavish praise on him or her. You need to reward good behavior. In this way, your dog will learn that desired behavior brings praise.
Whenever you adopt from the pound, take the dog straight to the vet. Shelter dogs could be sick or exposed to different viruses. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.
If you buy a new dog, set up a vet appointment as soon as possible. As soon as you bring your new dog home, make an appointment with your vet. The veterinarian will make sure your pet is as healthy as you think he is and also talk to you about vaccinations. Also discuss the spaying or neutering process with your vet. This can help to eliminate unwanted animals and keep your dog happy and healthy for a longer period of time.
Your dog should not be left outside for the entire day. You may see this on TV or in movies, but that doesn’t make it right. If there is only one dog, he may become lonely. You need to bring your dog inside the house when it is inclement weather outside.
Always make sure that your dog is wearing some sort of identification on their collar. Consider purchasing a breakaway collar for your pet. All of the necessary contact information, including your dog’s name, should be included. You may also consider having a micro-chip implanted.
When you train your dog remember that the end result might be ruined if too many people try to take charge. Your dog might become confused by different methods, different vocal commands and different ways of offering praise or punishment. Pick a single person to be the main person doing the training, and let the others know what that person’s methods will be so they can follow along.
Are you aware that vitamins can harm your dog? If your dog’s already getting the nutrients that it needs, you won’t need to add vitamins to its diet. Giving your dog too many vitamins can end up resulting in problems. Consult with your vet before starting your dog on a regimen of vitamins.
You need to provide your dog with shade and water during the summer. It’s easy for dogs to overheat. Reserve a cool and shady area for your dog to hang out. Be sure that your pet always has cold and clean water to drink. In addition, dogs are affected by the sun’s rays, so ask your vet about doggie sunscreens.
You should be firm with your dog. Sometimes people think it’s alright to give a dog table scraps or allow destruction of an item. This is particularly the case when the dog is very cute! However, if you’re firm, you’ll be able to avoid problems down the line. For instance, giving scraps to a dog may seem harmless, but if you keep doing it, the dog may think it is fine to jump on a table and take a whole course.
Getting a new dog is a big undertaking. However, this shouldn’t be so difficult for you now since you’ve read this article. Take some time to read more about the amazing world of canines. By doing this, you will enjoy an incredible furry companion for years to come.